Method for controlling refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling a refrigerator includes starting water supply to an ice making device in a refrigerator. The ice making device includes a flow sensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller. The method also includes operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value, determining whether the pulse value has reached a target pulse value within a preset time, and, based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, determining that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state and performing a water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2012-0062506 filed on Jun. 12, 2012, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling arefrigerator.

BACKGROUND

Refrigerators are home appliances that store foods in a refrigerated orfrozen state. An ice making device for making ice is commonly mounted tosuch a refrigerator. When the ice making device is included in arefrigerator, a water supply mechanism for making ice is provided. Here,an important factor is accurately controlling an amount of water to besupplied for making ice. In particular, in an ice making device formaking globular or spherical ice pieces, an amount of supplied watershould be accurately controlled. For example, if the amount of suppliedwater is insufficient, the ice pieces will not be globular or spherical.On the other hand, if an amount of supplied water is excessive, an icemaking tray may be broken due to the volume expansion of ice during theice making process.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example prior art water supply system for makingice in a refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 1, a water supply passage is connected to a watersupply source 1, and a switching valve 2 is mounted on the water supplypassage. A flow sensor 3 is mounted on an outlet side of the switchingvalve 2, and the water supply passage has an end connected to a watersupply hole of an ice maker 5. The flow sensor 3 and the valve 2 areelectrically controllably connected to a controller 4 (e.g., a Micom).

In some examples, a flowmeter may be used as the flow sensor 3, and anamount of water to be supplied may be calculated according to the numberof pulses of the flowmeter corresponding to the rotation number of theflowmeter. When the water is completely supplied, a valve locking signalmay be output from the controller 4 to close the valve 2.

A method of supplying water for a time preset in the controller 4 isanother method of supplying water into the ice maker. For example, if awater supply time is set to about five seconds, water may beunconditionally supplied for about five seconds regardless of awater-pressure of a water supply source.

In the case of time control, since it is impossible to consider a watersupply deviation due to the pressure, an amount of water supplied intoan ice making tray may be significantly different depending on thepressure of water to be supplied.

In the case of flow sensor control, when the flow sensor is used in alow water-pressure area, water may be excessively supplied more than atarget amount. This may occur because an impeller of the flow sensor maynot operate due to the low water pressure, and thus water may passaround the impeller to increase an amount of supplied water to thedetected pulse value.

FIG. 2 illustrates an excessive water supply phenomenon occurring whenwater supply is controlled using the flow sensor in the lowwater-pressure area.

As shown in FIG. 2, more than the target amount A of water is suppliedin the low water-pressure area.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a method includes starting water supply to an ice makingdevice in a refrigerator. The ice making device includes a flow sensorconfigured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by usinga pulse value according to rotation of an impeller. The method alsoincludes, after starting the water supply, operating the flow sensor todetect a pulse value, accessing a target pulse value, comparing thedetected pulse value to the target pulse value, and, based on comparisonresults, determining whether the detected pulse value has reached thetarget pulse value within a preset time. The method further includes,based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reachedthe target pulse value within the preset time, determining that watersupply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state andperforming a water supply control process according to the lowwater-pressure state. The water supply control process according to thelow water-pressure state includes calculating a measurement of watersupplied to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value forthe preset time, determining a measurement of additional water needed toreach a target, setting a new target pulse value corresponding to themeasurement of additional water needed to reach the target, andsupplying additional water to the ice making device until the new targetpulse value has been reached.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the method may include stopping water supply to the ice makingdevice based on the detected pulse value reaching the target pulse valuewithin the preset time. The measurement of water supplied to the icemaking device, the measurement of additional water, and the new targetpulse value may be stored in a lookup table.

In some implementations, the measurement of water supplied to the icemaking device may include a flow rate of water supplied to the icemaking device and the measurement of additional water may include a flowrate of additional water needed to reach the target. In theseimplementations, the method may include calculating the flow rate ofwater supplied to the ice making device using a linear function formula:y2=Ky1+R(K, R: constant, y1: pulse value, y2: flow rate).

In addition, the method may include, based on a determination that watersupply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state,stopping water supply to the ice making device until the new targetpulse value is set. Further, the ice making device may be an ice makerconfigured to make spherical ice.

In another aspect, a refrigerator includes an ice making device, a flowsensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making deviceby using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller, and acontroller configured to perform operations. The operations includestarting water supply to the ice making device and, after starting thewater supply, operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value. Theoperations also include accessing a target pulse value, comparing thedetected pulse value to the target pulse value, and, based on comparisonresults, determining whether the detected pulse value has reached thetarget pulse value within a preset time. The operations further include,based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reachedthe target pulse value within the preset time, determining that watersupply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state andperforming a water supply control process according to the lowwater-pressure state. The water supply control process according to thelow water-pressure state includes calculating a measurement of watersupplied to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value forthe preset time, determining a measurement of additional water needed toreach a target, setting a new target pulse value corresponding to themeasurement of additional water needed to reach the target, andsupplying additional water to the ice making device until the new targetpulse value has been reached.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the operations may include stopping water supply to the icemaking device based on the detected pulse value reaching the targetpulse value within the preset time. The measurement of water supplied tothe ice making device, the measurement of additional water, and the newtarget pulse value may be stored in a lookup table.

In some implementations, the measurement of water supplied to the icemaking device may include a flow rate of water supplied to the icemaking device and the measurement of additional water may include a flowrate of additional water needed to reach the target. In theseimplementations, the operations may include calculating the flow rate ofwater supplied to the ice making device using a linear function formula:y2=Ky1+R(K, R: constant, y1: pulse value, y2: flow rate).

In addition, the operations may include, based on a determination thatwater supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state,stopping water supply to the ice making device until the new targetpulse value is set. Further, the ice making device may be an ice makerconfigured to make spherical ice.

In yet another aspect, a method includes starting water supply to an icemaking device in a refrigerator. The ice making device includes a flowsensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making deviceby using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller. The methodalso includes, after starting the water supply, operating the flowsensor to detect a pulse value, accessing a target pulse value,comparing the detected pulse value to the target pulse value, and, basedon comparison results, determining whether the detected pulse value hasreached the target pulse value within a preset time. The method furtherincludes, in response to a determination that the detected pulse valuehas not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, setting anew target pulse value based on the detected pulse value and supplyingadditional water to the ice making device until the new target pulsevalue has been reached.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Forexample, the method may include stopping water supply to the ice makingdevice based on the detected pulse value reaching the target pulse valuewithin the preset time.

In some implementations, the new target pulse value may be stored in alookup table. In these implementations, the method may include accessingthe new target pulse value from the lookup table based on the detectedpulse value.

In addition, the method may include, in response to a determination thatthe detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value withinthe preset time, stopping water supply to the ice making device untilthe new target pulse value is set. The ice making device may be an icemaker configured to make spherical ice.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will beapparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example prior art water supply systemfor making ice in a refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an excessive water supply phenomenon thatoccurs when water supply is controlled using a flow sensor in a lowwater-pressure area.

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded perspective view illustrating an exampleice making device to which an example water supply system is applied.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example watersupply state of the ice making device shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for controllingwater supply to an ice making device for making globular or sphericalice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 3 illustrates an example ice making device to which an examplewater supply system is applied, and FIG. 4 illustrates an example watersupply state of the example ice making device.

The control method described throughout this disclosure may be usefulwhen applied to an ice making device for making globular or sphericalice. Thus, an ice making device for making globular or spherical icewill be described below as an example.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an ice making device 100 includes an upperplate tray 110 defining an upper appearance, a lower plate tray 120defining a lower appearance, a driving unit 140 for operating one of theupper plate tray 110 and the lower plate tray 120, and an ejecting unit160 (see FIG. 4) for separating ice pieces made in the upper plate tray110 or the lower plate tray 120. The ejecting unit 160 includes anejecting pin having a rod shape.

In some examples, recess parts 125 each having a hemispherical shape maybe arranged inside of the lower plate tray 120. Here, each of the recessparts 125 defines a lower half of a globular or spherical ice piece. Thelower plate tray 120 may be formed of a metal material. As necessary, atleast a portion of the lower plate tray 120 may be formed of anelastically deformable material. For instance, the lower plate tray 120of which a portion is formed of an elastic material is described as anexample.

The lower plate tray 120 includes a tray case 121 defining an outerappearance, a tray body 123 mounted on the tray case 121 and having therecess parts 125, and a tray cover 126 fixing the tray body 123 to thetray case 121.

The tray case 121 may have a square frame shape. Also, the tray case 121may further extend upward and downward along a circumference thereof.Further, a seat part 121 a through which the recess parts 125 pass maybe disposed inside the tray case 121. In addition, a lower plate trayconnection part 122 may be disposed on a rear side of the tray case 121.The lower plate tray connection part 122 may be coupled to the upperplate tray 110 and the driving unit 140. The lower plate tray connectionpart 122 may function as a center of rotation of the tray case 121. Insome implementations, an elastic member mounting part 121 b may bedisposed on a side surface of the tray case 121, and an elastic member131 providing elastic force so that the lower plate tray 120 ismaintained in a closed state may be connected to the elastic membermounting part 121 b.

The tray body 123 may be formed of an elastically deformable flexiblematerial. The tray body 123 may be seated from an upper side of the traycase 121. The tray body 123 includes a plane part 124 and the recesspart 125 recessed from the plane part 124. The recess part 125 may passthrough the seat part 121 a of the tray case 121 to protrude downward.Thus, as shown as a dotted line in FIG. 4, the recess part 125 may bepushed by the ejecting unit 160 when the lower plate tray 120 is rotatedto separate the ice within the recess part 125 to the outside.

The tray cover 126 may be disposed above the tray body 123 to fix thetray body 123 to the tray case 121. A punched part 126 a having a shapecorresponding to that of an opened top surface of the recess part 125defined in the tray body 123 may be defined in the tray cover 126. Thepunched part 126 a may have a shape in which a plurality of circularshapes successively overlap one another. Thus, when the lower plate tray120 is assembled, the recess part 125 is exposed through the punchedpart 126 a.

Also, the upper plate tray 110 defines an upper appearance of the icemaking device 100. The upper plate tray 110 may include a mounting part111 for mounting the ice making device 100 and a tray part 112 formaking ice.

For instance, the mounting part 111 fixes the ice making device 100 tothe inside of a freezing compartment or an ice making chamber. Themounting part 111 may extend in a direction perpendicular to that of thetray part 112. Thus, the mounting part 111 may be stably fixed to a sidesurface of the freezing compartment or the ice making chamber throughsurface contact. Also, the tray part 112 may have a shape correspondingto that of the lower plate tray 120. The tray part 112 may include aplurality of recess parts 113 each being recessed upward in ahemispherical shape. The plurality of recess parts 113 are successivelyarranged in a line. When the upper plate tray 110 and the lower platetray 120 are closed, the recess part 125 of the lower plate tray 120 andthe recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 are coupled to matcheach other in shape, thereby defining a cell 150 which provides an icemaking space having a globular or spherical shape. The recess part 113of the upper plate tray 110 may have a hemispherical shape correspondingto that of the lower plate tray 120.

The upper plate tray 110 may be formed of a metal material entirely.Also, the upper plate tray 110 may be configured to quickly freeze waterwithin the cell 150. In addition, a heater 161 heating the upper platetray 110 to separate ice may be disposed on the upper plate tray 110.Further, a water supply unit 170 for supplying water into water supplypart 114 of the upper plate tray 110 may be disposed above the upperplate tray 110.

The recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 may be formed of anelastic material, like the recess part 125 of the lower plate tray 120,so that ice easily separates from the recess part 113.

A rotating arm 130 and the elastic member 131 are disposed on a side ofthe lower plate tray 120. The rotating arm 130 may be rotatably mountedon the lower plate tray 120 to provide the tension of the elastic member131.

Also, the rotating arm 130 may have an end 132 axially coupled to thelower plate tray connection part 122. Further, the rotating arm mayrotate even though the lower plate tray 120 is closed to allow theelastic member 131 to extend. The elastic member 131 is mounted betweenthe rotating arm 130 and the elastic member mounting part 121 b. Theelastic member 131 may include a tension spring. That is to say, therotating arm 130 may further rotate in a direction in which the lowerplate tray 120 is closely attached to the upper plate tray 110 in thestate where the lower plate tray 120 is in the closed state, to allowthe elastic member 131 to extend. I a state where the rotating arm 130is stopped, restoring force is applied to the elastic member 130 in adirection in which the elastic member 130 decreases to an originallength thereof. Since the lower plate tray 120 is closely attached tothe upper plate tray 110 due to the restoring force, the leakage ofwater may be reduced (e.g., prevented) during ice making.

In some implementations, a plurality of air holes 115 are defined in therecess parts 113 of the upper plate tray 110. Each of the air holes 115may be configured to exhaust air when water is supplied into the cell150. Also, the air hole 115 may have a cylinder sleeve shape extendingupward to guide access of an ejecting pin 160 for separating an ice.Here, the ejecting unit 160 may be provided as a structure that does notpress the recess part 125 of the lower plate tray 120 in a horizontalstate, but that is vertically disposed above the upper plate tray 110 topass through the air hole 115 and a water supply part 114. And, theejecting unit 160 may be connected to the rotating arm 130 to ascend ordescend when the rotating arm 130 rotates. Therefore, if the lower platetray 120 rotates, the rotating arm 130 may rotate downward. Thus, theejecting unit 160 passes through the air hole 115 and the water supplypart 114 while descending to push a globular or spherical ice pieceattached to the recess part 113 of the upper plate tray 110 out.

The water supply part 114 is disposed in an approximately centralportion of the plurality of cells 150. The water supply part 114 mayhave a diameter greater than that of the air hole 115 to supply watersmoothly. The water supply part 114 may be disposed in one end of bothleft and right ends of the plurality of cells 150 to conveniently supplywater. The water supply part 114 may be configured to guide the accessof the ejecting unit 160 for exhausting air and separating ice whenwater is supplied in addition to the water supply function.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper plate tray 110 and the lower plate tray120 are closely attached to each other to prevent the stored water fromleaking. Also, inner surfaces of the upper plate tray 110 and the lowerplate tray 120 may define a globular or spherical surface to make aglobular or spherical ice. Whether a perfect globular or spherical icepiece is made may be determined according to an amount of water suppliedto the cell 150. For example, if an amount of water supplied to the cell150 is less than a preset supply amount, a top surface of the ice piecemay be flat. On the other hand, if an amount of water supplied to thecell 150 is greater than the present supply amount, the upper plate tray110 and the lower plate tray 120 may have a gap there between or bebroken by the volume expansion of an ice piece during the ice makingprocess. Therefore, the accurate control of a water supply amount in theice making device for making globular or spherical ice may be animportant factor.

Hereinafter, a method for accurately controlling an amount of water tobe supplied will be described. An ice making system in which a flowmetergenerating a pulse according to a rotation of an impeller may be appliedas a unit for detecting an amount of supplied water.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process for controlling water supply to anice making device for making globular or spherical ice.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, when an ice making mode is turned on (S11),water is supplied (S 12). An impeller of a flowmeter rotates by apressure of the supplied water to generate pulses according to therotation of the impeller. A control part including a Micom integratesthe pulses generated according to the rotation of the impeller (S13). Atthe same time, a timer connected to the control part may determinewhether a water supply time reaches a preset time T (S14).

As shown, it is determined whether a pulse value reaches a target pulsevalue before the water supply time reaches the preset time T (S21). Ifit is determined that the pulse value reaches the target pulse value,the water supply is stopped (S22), and simultaneously, a water supplyprocess is ended. That is, the water supply is performed in a normalmanner due to a sufficiently high water-pressure of a water supplysource for a refrigerator. If the pulse value does not reach the targetpulse value before the water supply time reaches the preset time T, thecontrol part continuously detects and integrates elapsed times and thepulse values.

Then, the control part determines whether a pulse value detected againreaches the target pulse value at the moment the present time T isreached (S 15). If it is determined that the pulse value reaches thetarget pulse value, the water supply is stopped (S22). On the otherhand, if the detected pulse value does not reach the target pulse valueeven though the water supply time reaches the preset time, it isdetermined that the water pressure is low, and thus the control partcalculates a flow rate of supplied water corresponding to the detectedpulse value (S16). Here, the flow rate of supplied water correspondingto the detected pulse value may be obtained from a Table and a Formula,which are calculated through experiments.

After calculating the flow rate of supplied water, a flow rate of waterto be additionally supplemented may be calculated (S17). Also, a pulsevalue corresponding to the flow rate of water to be supplemented iscalculated, and the calculated pulse value is corrected as a new targetpulse value (S18). Then, the detected pulse value is integrated (S19).When the integrated pulse value reaches the new target pulse value(S20), the water supply is stopped.

The pulse value of the flowmeter and the flow rate of supplied waterwhich are detected for the preset time may be substantially differentdepending on the water pressure. When the water pressure is equal to orgreater than a predetermined pressure, the supplied water flow ratecorresponding to a unit pulse value is the same. However, if the waterpressure is less than a critical water pressure, the supplied water flowrate per unit pulse may vary.

According to results that are confirmed through experiments under a lowwater pressure, a linear functional formula may be obtained through thepulse value and the flow rate by using water-pressure as variables. Thatis, the pulse value detected for the preset time is almost proportionalto the water-pressure, and also, the flow rate of supplied water isalmost proportional to the water-pressure.

For example, the functional formula is as follows.

y1=ax+b(y1: pulse value, x: pressure, a: constant, b: constant)

y2=cx+d(y2: flow rate of supplied water, x: pressure, c: constant, d:constant)

Here, when y1 and y2 are combined with each other, consequentially, itis confirmed that the pulse is a function of a flow rate of suppliedwater as follows.

y2=Ky1+R(K, R: constant)

That is, since the water-pressure of the water supply source does notfunction as a variable, the flow rate of supplied water may be confirmedfrom the pulse value even if the water-pressure is not confirmed.

Here, the constant values are set as functions to approximate dataobtained from the experiments. That is, the constant values may beobtained by the experiments.

As described above, the linear function for the flow rate using thepulse value as a variable is input to the control part. In the state ofthe low water-pressure that is less than a specific pressure, the flowrates of supplied water and of water to be supplemented may becalculated on the basis of the functional value.

Accordingly, if the pulse value does not reach the target pulse valuefor the preset time T, control may be applied. For example, if a pulsevalue J which is less than the target pulse value is obtained for thepreset time T, the pulse value J is input to the function to calculatethe flow rate D of supplied water. If an experimenter knows a flow rateof supplied water, a flow rate of water to be supplemented may bepredicted. Thus, when the flow rate of water to be supplemented issubstituted with the function, the pulse value corresponding thereto maybe calculated. Then, the calculated pulse value may be set as a newtarget pulse value. The flow rates of supplied water and of water to besupplemented may be easily calculated through the following Formula.

Flow rate of water to be supplemented=target flow rate of water−flowrate of supplied water

As described above, the functional formula is input to the control partto allow the control part to calculate the new target pulse value. Also,the water supply flow rate corresponding to the pulse value, the flowrate of water to be supplemented and the new pulse value correspondingthereto may be tabulated to directly extract the new target pulse valuefor supplying additional water when the pulse value is detected.

If the detected pulse value does not reach the target pulse value beforeperforming the operation S16, the water supply may be stopped. Then,after the new target pulse value is set, the water supply may startagain.

The Table below is an example pulse/flow rate table used in a method forcontrolling water supply.

The Table below provides a pulse value detected for a preset time (T) ina low water-pressure state, a flow rate of supplied water correspondingto the pulse value, a flow rate to be supplemented, and a new targetpulse value corresponding to the flow rate to be supplemented.

For instance, the Table was made from the experiments in a specific lowwater-pressure state, and the experiments may be performed several timesunder different water-pressure conditions.

Since the Table is stored in a memory, and then, when the pulse value isdetected, the Table is accessed to quickly set an added pulse valuecorresponding to the corresponding pulse value as a new target pulsevalue, the water supply may not be stopped in the operation S16. In thecase where the functional formula is used, if the processing rate of thecontrol part is sufficiently high, the water supply may not be stopped.

TABLE pulse for flow rate for flow rate added supplemented T sec T secgap(g) pulse pulse(integer) 71 20.2349 59.7651 209.7031416 209 7220.4329 59.5671 209.8983111 209 73 20.6309 59.3691 210.0705398 210 7420.8289 59.1711 210.2204821 210 75 21.0269 58.9731 210.3487675 210 8022.0169 57.9831 210.6857914 210 85 23.0069 56.9931 210.5635049 210 9023.9969 56.0031 210.038755 210 95 24.9869 55.0131 209.1593795 209 10025.9769 54.0231 207.9659236 207 105 26.9669 53.0331 206.4929784 206 11027.9569 52.0431 204.7702356 204 115 28.9469 51.0531 202.8233248 202 12029.9369 50.0631 200.6744853 200 125 30.9269 49.0731 198.3431091 198 13031.9169 48.0831 195.8461818 195 135 32.9069 47.0931 193.1986453 193 14033.8969 46.1031 190.4136956 190 145 34.8869 45.1131 187.5030312 187 15035.8769 44.1231 184.4770591 184 155 36.8669 43.1331 181.3450683 181 16037.8569 43.1431 178.1153766 178 165 38.8469 41.1531 174.7954534 174 17039.8369 40.1631 171.392026 171 175 40.8269 39.1731 167.9111689 167 18041.8169 38.1831 164.3583814 164 185 42.8069 37.1931 160.7386543 160 19043.7969 36.2031 157.0565268 157 195 44.7869 35.2131 153.3161371 153

According to the refrigerator described in this dislcosure, an amount ofwater to be supplied may be accurately controlled under the lowwater-pressure state in the water supply system using the flow ratesensor such as the flowmeter.

Particularly, the refrigerator may be advantageous for the ice makingsystem in which an amount of supplied water should be accuratelycontrolled, such as the ice making device for making the globular ice.

Although implementations have been described with reference to a numberof illustrative examples thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and implementations can be devised by those skilledin the art that fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, variations and modifications arepossible in the component parts and/or arrangements and fall within thescope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Inaddition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/orarrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: starting water supply to an ice making device in a refrigerator, the ice making device including a flow sensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller; after starting the water supply, operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value; accessing a target pulse value; comparing the detected pulse value to the target pulse value; based on comparison results, determining whether the detected pulse value has reached the target pulse value within a preset time; and based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, determining that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state and performing a water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state, the water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state comprising: calculating a measurement of water supplied to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value for the preset time; determining a measurement of additional water needed to reach a target; setting a new target pulse value corresponding to the measurement of additional water needed to reach the target; and supplying additional water to the ice making device until the new target pulse value has been reached.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising stopping water supply to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value reaching the target pulse value within the preset time.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of water supplied to the ice making device, the measurement of additional water, and the new target pulse value are stored in a lookup table.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement of water supplied to the ice making device comprises a flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device and the measurement of additional water comprises a flow rate of additional water needed to reach the target.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein calculating the flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device comprises calculating the flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device using a linear function formula: y2=Ky1+R(K, R: constant, y1: pulse value, y2: flow rate).
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, based on a determination that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state, stopping water supply to the ice making device until the new target pulse value is set.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ice making device is an ice maker configured to make spherical ice.
 8. A refrigerator comprising: an ice making device; a flow sensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: starting water supply to the ice making device; after starting the water supply, operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value; accessing a target pulse value; comparing the detected pulse value to the target pulse value; based on comparison results, determining whether the detected pulse value has reached the target pulse value within a preset time; and based on a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, determining that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state and performing a water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state, the water supply control process according to the low water-pressure state comprising: calculating a measurement of water supplied to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value for the preset time; determining a measurement of additional water needed to reach a target; setting a new target pulse value corresponding to the measurement of additional water needed to reach the target; and supplying additional water to the ice making device until the new target pulse value has been reached.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise stopping water supply to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value reaching the target pulse value within the preset time.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the measurement of water supplied to the ice making device, the measurement of additional water, and the new target pulse value are stored in a lookup table.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the measurement of water supplied to the ice making device comprises a flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device and the measurement of additional water comprises a flow rate of additional water needed to reach the target.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 11, wherein calculating the flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device comprises calculating the flow rate of water supplied to the ice making device using a linear function formula: y2=Ky1+R(K, R: constant, y1: pulse value, y2: flow rate).
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the operations further comprise, based on a determination that water supply to the ice making device is in a low water-pressure state, stopping water supply to the ice making device until the new target pulse value is set.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 8, wherein the ice making device is an ice maker configured to make spherical ice.
 15. A method comprising: starting water supply to an ice making device in a refrigerator, the ice making device including a flow sensor configured to detect water supply flow to the ice making device by using a pulse value according to rotation of an impeller; after starting the water supply, operating the flow sensor to detect a pulse value; accessing a target pulse value; comparing the detected pulse value to the target pulse value; based on comparison results, determining whether the detected pulse value has reached the target pulse value within a preset time; and in response to a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time: setting a new target pulse value based on the detected pulse value; and supplying additional water to the ice making device until the new target pulse value has been reached.
 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising stopping water supply to the ice making device based on the detected pulse value reaching the target pulse value within the preset time.
 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the new target pulse value is stored in a lookup table.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein setting the new target pulse value based on the detected pulse value comprises accessing the new target pulse value from the lookup table based on the detected pulse value.
 19. The method according to claim 15, further comprising, in response to a determination that the detected pulse value has not reached the target pulse value within the preset time, stopping water supply to the ice making device until the new target pulse value is set.
 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the ice making device is an ice maker configured to make spherical ice. 